Monster Cookies a Recipe

My favorite cookies. Here's the recipe:

Monster Cookies

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

½ cup butter or margarine (softened)

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. pancake syrup or light corn syrup

1 ½ cups peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

2 tsps. Baking soda

4 ½ cups Oatmeal (not instant)

1 cup choc chips

4 oz. M&M’s (plain or peanut)

Mix in the order given. Drop by teaspoon (or larger) on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 350° for 15 minutes (or less). Makes 6-7 dozen.

Notes: no flour used. Use holiday M&M’s when possible!

Sashiko

I did a class (along with two other talented ladies) for my local quilt guild, Cedar River Quilters, Renton, WA. We had a good turn out, 15 students! I think they enjoyed it. I'm anxious to see what projects they will start with their new knowledge.

I finished a sashiko jacket that I started almost a year ago. I had gotten the pattern in Yokohama at a small sashiko shop. My Japanese friend, Akemi translated what I needed to know on the pattern. I drew the swirls and plovers myself based on traditional Japanese designs. That's about my favorite sashiko design. Love the swirls!

New Fabric Postcards

Here are a couple of fabric postcards I recently did. I mailed them from a new post office (new to me). The man who helped me was very impressed. I always have to ‘train’ the people at the post office, but once they figure out that I seriously want them to go through the mail with no envelope they’re ok with it. This guy wasn’t sure the stamps would stick; I’m hoping they will too. I’ve had some interesting experiences mailing them from Japan and China. I ended up finding one post office and usually one specific person who would mail them for me. In China I had to travel over an hour to get to this specific post office!

Well anyway I do enjoy making and receiving the fabric postcards. I guess I should start working on my Christmas ones!

I usually don’t start with any plan, I’ll just get out a collection of fabrics that mostly go together and from there ideas will come. I do always draw out the rectangle 10.5cm X 15cm (which is close to 4” X 6”), then may sketch a little to get the designs that will fit. It also works for me to make more than one at a time of the same or similar design. Goes quicker that way and I often send them to people who don’t know each other, so they don’t know they aren’t getting a one of a kind (until now).

Send me pictures of your fabric postcards.

It does feel like fall in Seattle now. Some nice sunny spots in the middle of the rainy bits, but that’s ok, it’s supposed to be that way. I’ve lived in semi-tropical southern China for the past three years, so the cool rainy weather is a welcome change.

I usually walk every morning about three miles. I found a great view spot on my new route and finally took a camera with me. Of course the view is better than my camera will take. I can see downtown Seattle in the distance (along with the space needle) and also Lake Washington closer to me. And with a US flag flying over a nearby school it all makes a terrific place to be. After living abroad for 10 years I do appreciate the USA a lot more.

I hope to start a part time job this next week. I wanted full time, but I know I can’t be too picky right now and am grateful for what I do have. It is working with fabric and crafts so that part is really good for me, I look forward to it. I have a feeling I will be constantly inspired and will probably be starting projects all the time. 

I went on a walk to a nearby public garden. Turned out to be a blue sky afternoon!

Halloween Post Cards

One of my favorite quick things to make are fabric post cards. Here is a picture of some I made a couple of years ago and sent to friends. They are a great way to use those fun Halloween prints (an excuse to buy more and use some of your stash). Once you get started it’s hard to stop! It’s not too late to get some made and in the mail. If you need help making them try Googling ‘fabric post cards’. Lots of sites have how to info and there are also some books available. If you have any specific questions, write me and I’ll try to answer. I’ve taught post card making classes several times and could probably find my instruction sheet to send to you.

If you’d like to buy some, I do have an Etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/suquilt?ref=si_shop

The post cards I have for sale are all made with old Japanese fabrics and my sashiko. No holiday themed ones are available right now. Please have a look!

Hand quilting

I’ve pieced a Halloween quilt, have it basted, but haven’t started on the quilting yet. I’m trying to come up with a quilting design for some large solid spaces, something ‘creepy’. I’m a hand quilter. Of course I wouldn’t be hand quilting if I didn’t love it. I like the process, the hands on, relaxing aspect of it. I usually quilt in the evenings (with a good light) while the TV is on, I mostly listen and glance. It has always given me time with my family this way. I also then really like the finished product, the feel and look of a hand quilted piece far beats anything done on a machine. Our lives are so surrounded by machines, that I enjoy the relaxing, non-machine time of hand quilting.

New house

September 2011. I’ve just moved to Seattle! I’m in a small 1922 Bungalow. It’s got its quirks, but who doesn’t right? I think I will really love it here. The house is on a hill and has trees and tall shrubs on the sides, so I don’t need a lot of curtains. Lets in what light Seattle gets. I’ve almost unpacked the ‘necessary’ things and will get to my sewing room in a day or so. I always leave it to last as its good incentive to get the rest done, otherwise months later I’d still be looking for the can opener.